Mechanism for the automatic selection and operation of flat knitting machine thread carrier bars



NOV. 30, 1937. p ps 2,100,611

MECHANISM FOR THE AUTOMATIC SELECTION AND OPERATION OF FLAT KNITTING MACHINE THREAD CARRIER BARS Filed March 11, 1956 4 Sheets-Sheet l INVENT OR.

WWM/

ATTORNEY.

J. PHILLIPS Nov. 30, 1937.

2,100,611 MECHANISM FOR THE AUTOMATIC SELECTION AND OPERATION OF FLAT KNITTING. MACHINE THREAD CARRIER BARS Filed March 11, 1936 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. (fl Pi/[i/zs ATTORNEY.

Nov. 30, 1937. J. PHILLIPS 2,100,611

MECHANISM FOR THE AUTOMATIC SELECTION AND OPERATION OF FLAT KNITTING MACHINE THREAD CARRIER BARS Filed March 11, 1956 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR.

ATTORNEY;

Patented Nov. 30, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Joseph Phillips, Philadelphia, Pa... aslxnor to Nickels & Lauber, Philadelphia, Pa.

Application March 11, 1936, Serial No. 88,224

13 Claims.

The present invention generally relates to flat knitting machines and, more particularly, to a. mechanism specially devised to be mounted on such machines and operable to selectively engage and operate any one of a plurality of carrier bars for feeding the threads carried thereby in repeated predetermined sequence, whereby to form in the knitted fabric series of successive courses, each course in every series being made from a separate individual thread.

The invention aims to provide a mechanism of simplified construction capable of being readily attached to commonly known fiat knitting machines and adapted to operate in timed relation therewith, for automatically effecting the selection of the carrier bars and reciprocating in a definite, predetermined order each of said bars, whereby to lay the respective threads over the knitting section of the machine at repeated intervals so that the same thread will not be fed to form any two or more successive courses.

Knitting machine attachments have heretofore been devised for changing the position of the carrier bar engaging and motion transmitting element whereby the latter is moved from one carrier bar to another in the process of knitting, for producing a course made from a thread different from that utilized in the formation of the preceding, adjacent course, but in such known devices, the mentioned element is forced from one position to another when under load, so that the actuation of the device is impeded and done under excessive stress, with the result that it functions with abnormal difiiculty and often causes a breaking of parts.

The invention therefore contemplates the provision of means associated with the carrier bar selecting and moving mechanism for relieving the latter of its usual load when the pattern device, intended to control the position of said mechanism, is brought into action to efiect the selection of the carrier bars.

The invention is further characterized by the fact that all of the essential operable parts of the mechanism are controlled directly ofi the main cam shaft of the knitting machine, which results in assuring smooth, continuous, and properly timed action, not only between the relative parts constituting the mechanism of the invention, but also between said parts and the associated elements of the knitting machine.

Other important objects and advantages of the invention will be in part obvious and in part pointed out hereinafter. Y

In order that the invent on a d ts mode of operation may be readily understood by those persons skilled in the art, I have, in the accompany- Figure 1, with certain parts removed for the sake of clarity.

Figure 5 is a section taken on line 5-5 of Figure 1, with certain parts removed for the sake of clarity.

Figure 6 is a section taken on line 6-6 of Figure l, with certain parts removed for the sake of clarity.

Figure 'l is an enlarged detail in top plan, illustrating the carrier bars and the selecting and moving mechanism therefor. 1

Figure 8 is a section taken on line 88 of Figure 7. 1

Figure 9 is a diagrammatic representation of the repeated movement of the thread carriers as done in accordance with the invention.

Figure 10 is a diagrammatic view of a portion of the pattern chain illustrating the construction thereof.

Having more particular reference to the drawings, wherein like characters of reference will designate corresponding parts throughout, there is shown a portion of a flat knitting machine frame I, provided with the upper beam 2 and the lower beam 3. A plurality of carrier rods 4 having the thread carriers 5. are slidably mounted on the frame in the usual manner to reciprocate longitudinally of the machine to feed the threads for the formation of the successive courses in the knitting of the fabric. The construction, association, and operation of the relative parts of the fiat knitting machine are well known and thoroughly understood by those versed in the art and since the present invention does not change the usual structure of the knitting machine per se, a detailed description thereof is not necessary.

As stated, the invention has to do with a mechthem for selecting and reciprocating the carrier .arcuaterotating' movement in the manner each of said bars is periodically brought into action for feeding its respective: threads to form one of a series of courses in the knitted fabric. For this purpose, the knitting machine is provided with a friction rod 6 disposed rearwardly of the carrier bars 4 in paralleling relation thereto and mounted to slide longitudinally of the machine. The friction'rod 6 receives its longitudinal rectilinear sliding movement from the well known "Coulier motion" mechanism (not shown). In addition to this rectilinear movement, the friction rod 6 is also mounted for and for the purpose to be later specified.

Carried by the friction rod 6 andarranged thereon to move therewith is a friction box 1 which preferably has a substantially rectangular configuration, as illustrated in the drawings. Disposed within said box 1 are strips 6 of resilient material frictionally engaging the opposite faces of the friction rod 6 and held in positive contact therewith by means of a leaf spring 3 in the manner more clearly shown in Figure 7 of the drawings. The friction strips 6 and the spring 3 are retained within the box I bya rigid band l0 disposed at each end of the box and secured thereto by means of suitable fastening elements such as screws I l.

'Rigidly fixed to the friction box 1 is a carrier bar selecting element l2 preferably consisting of a finger-like projection extending transversely of said friction box towards the carrier rods 4.

be brought into alignment with lugs l3 (a lug,

being secured upon each carrier bar 4) and to selectively engage one of said lugs for establishing a driving connection between the friction box I and the selected carrier bar whereby the latter may be moved longitudinally of the knitting machine by the friction rod 6 in its longitudinal rectilinear movement.

In order to bring the carrier bar selecting element l2 in position for engagement with the carrier bar to be selected, there is provided a pattern device, designated in its entirety for convenience herein by the reference character M. The pattern device I4 is intended to control the arcuate rotating movement of the friction rod 6, and to accomplish this result a stop plate I5 is associated with said friction rod to rotate with the latter but adapted to be held fixedly in relation to the sliding movement of the rod. Accordingly, the stop plate l5, as shown in the drawings, is formed with a collar l6 slid over the friction rod 6 and having an internal projection l1 engaging a key way l8 cut longitudinally of the friction rod.

Upon one side of the plate collar I6 is provided an integral projection l9 extending laterally therefrom at substantially right angles to the.

friction rod 6. A coil spring 26 having one end connected to said projection l9 and its other end preferably connected to the beam 2 of the machine frame, as shown at 2| in Figure 4, normally acts to constantly urge the plate l5 together with the friction rod 6 in the direction indicated by the arrow R in the drawings. The stop plate I6 is prevented from sliding with the friction rod6 by means of a bracket 22 suitably connected to a stationary part of the knitting machine, for instance, to the fixed shaft 23 mounted on the machine frame I.

- Also carried by the fixed shaft 23 is an adjustable abutment 24 disposed to contact with a,1oo,c11

bars 4 in repeated alternating order whereby the stop plate I! and thus stop the rotation of the same together with that of the friction rod 6 at a'predetermined point to position the element or-finger l2 for engagement with one of the carrier bars, as shown in Figure 6.

ternatively acted upon to cause their respective abutment 3| or 32 to bear upon the stop plate I5 by means of a pattern chain 33 revolving through a sprocket 34 arranged on a shaft 35 rotatably mounted in a branch 36 depending from the bracket 36. The pattern chain 33 is maintained in taut condition by means of a yoke 31 to which is attached one end of a coil spring 33 havingits other end connected to the lower beam 3 of the machine frame I, as illustrated at 39.

The chain 33 receives its motion through a pawl and ratchet mechanism consisting of a ratchet wheel 40 rigid with the sprocket 34 and a pawl 4| plvotally attached to one end portion of a rocking lever 42 arranged on a shaft 35' supported by the lower extremity of the branch 36 of bracket 36. The other end portion of the rocking lever 42 carries a roller 43 having riding engagement with a cam 44 secured upon the main cam shaft 45 of the knitting machine.

The pawl 4| is maintained in engagement wit the ratchet wheel 40 by action of a spring 46 connected to the bracket 28 as shown at 4 1 and to a projection 43 affixed to said pawl 4|. Positive contact between the roller 43 and the cam 44 is assured by action of a spring 49 connected as at 50 to said bracket 29 and to the lever 42, as shown at 5|.

It will be understood that with rotation of the main cam shaft 45, the cam 44 acting upon the roller 43 willcause the arm 42 to rock about the shaft 35' and thus actuate the ratchet mechanism 40- to impart a step-by-step motion to the sprocket 34 for operating the pattern chain 33.

Upon referring to the drawings, it will be noted that the pattern chain 33 embodies two sets of buttons 52 and 53 respectively, one'set being associated with the lever 25 and the other set with the lever 26. The buttons 52 of one set are arranged in staggered relation with respect to the buttons 53 of the remaining set, whereby the fingers 25 and 26 are alternatively actuated for causing their respective abutments to come in contact with the stop plate. As more clearly shown in Figure 10 of the drawings, a space 54 is left openafter every two buttons so that at that point neither finger will be actuated, thereby allowing the stop plate l5 to move to that extreme position which causes its contact with the stationary abutment 24.

'In order to relieve the stop plate l5 of the pressure imposed thereon by the spring 20 and thus permit free and unobstructed operation of carried by the said lever 51. One end of the rod 56 is bent in the manner shown at 50 to extend towards the stop plate I so that with movement of the oscillating lever 51, said bent portion 60 will force the plate I5 in a position away from the abutments and maintain it in that position until the pattern chain 33 has predisposed the stop levers for the next operation of the knitting machine. The roller 59 is maintained in riding engagement with the cam 58 by means of a spring 6| having one end connected to the free extremity of the rod 56, as shown at 62, and its other end connected to the machine frame I as will appear at 63 in Figure l of the drawings.

That the rectilinear sliding movement of the friction box I may be controlled to assure the proper positioning of the carrier bar selecting element or finger I2 for engagement with the lugs I3, a wing-like extension 64 is arranged at each end of said box to move therewith and an adjustable stop member 65 is operatively supported in the path of the longitudinal movement of each of said wings, whereby said stop members, by engaging the wing-like extensions, will limit the distance travelled by the friction box I. As a practical expedient, the stop members 65- are mounted in a bracket 66 secured on a part 61 of the narrowing nuts of the knitting machine. Thus said stop members are advanced step by step towards the friction box I to gradually shorten its stroke for compliance with the movement to be given to the carrier bars 4 during the narrowing operation.

At times, it may become necessary to adjust the pattern chain 33 for varying the position thereof to correspond to the position of the carriers or for timing the operation of the chain with the associated elements of the knitting machine. For this purpose, I provide a handle 68 whereby the lever 42 may be moved to disengage the pawl 4| from the ratchet 40 and thus allow the free movement of the chain 33 to properly position the same.

In the operation of the machine 'in accordance with the invention, and as is diagrammatically illustrated in Figure 9, one of the carrier bars is disposed so that its carrier 512 will be positioned at one end of the knitting section, whereas two of the remaining carrier bars are disposed so that their carriers 5a and 5c respectively will rest at the other end of the knitting. section. With the carriers arranged in this manner, the actuation of the knitting machine operates the pattern device I4 to effect the selection and the repeated movement of the carriers, as indicated by the arrows in Figure 9.

The manner in which the selection of the carrier bars is effected will be understood from the foregoing description of the pattern mechanism. The structure of the pattern chain 33 provides sets of three succeeding zones, as more clearly represented in Figure 10 at A, B, and C. The zones A each have a button 52 interposed therein; the zones B each include one button 53, whereas the zones C contain no button. It will therefore be appreciated that when oneof the zones A is brought into that position shown in Figure 4, which causes the button 52 to come in contact with the lever 25 of the pattern device, said lever will thereby be held in operative position to predispose its abutment 3| for arresting the rotation of the stop plate I5 together with that of the friction rod 6, whereby the selecting finger I2 carried by the friction box I, will engage the lug I3 of the carrier bar to which is attached the carrier 5a, whereupon, through the usual function of the knitting machine, said carrier 5a will be transported from one end of the knitting section to the other and thus lay its thread Al for the formation of the first course.

Upon reaching this position, the carrier 5a is stopped and, at that time, the automatic pusher 55 is caused. to function, forcing theplate I5 away from the abutment 3|. The pattern mechanism I4 is then again operated to advance the zone B in that position bringing the button 53 for engagement with its corresponding lever 25 so that, upon movement of the pusher 55 releasing the plate I5, the latter will contact the abutment 32 and be held in that position shown in Figure 5, causing the selecting finger I2 to engage the lug I3 of the carrier bar supporting the carrier 5b, thus connecting'the latter to the friction box I for transporting said carrier 51) from its original position at one end of the machine to the opposite end thereof, accordingly laying its thread BI for the formation of the second course.

When this has been accomplished, the automatic pusher 55 again operates to force the'stop plate I5 away from the abutment 32, whereupon the pattern chain 33 is oncemore actuated to bring the zones C within the operative field of the levers 25 and 26. Since this latter zone includes no button, neither lever 25 nor 26 is operated, so that upon release of the stop plate I5, the same will be free to rotate to that position shown in Figure 6, bringing the plate in contact with the fixed abutment '24 which permits the selecting finger to engage the lug I3 on the carrier bar provided with the carrier 50, and thus establish the necessary connection to transport the latter from one end of the knitting machine to the other, to lay the thread CI to form the third course.

It will be understood that in accordance with this invention, the alternating selection and movement of the carriers, as above stated, is repeated throughout the knitting of the fabric, or at least a substantial portion thereof, so that successive series of courses, each course being made from a separate thread, predominate in the fabric.

Manifestly, the construction shown and described is capable of many modifications, but those modifications which come within the scope of the claims are considered within the spirit of the invention.

What I claim is:

1. A thread selecting and feeding mechanism for flat knitting machines comprising in combination with a plurality of thread carrier bars: a friction rod mounted on the machine for arcuate rotating and rectilinear sliding movements; a friction box carried by said friction rod'to follow the movements thereof; a carrier bar selecting element fixed on said box and extending therefrom for selective engagement with any one of the carrier bars, to establish a driving connection between said box and the selected carrier bar, whereby the latter may be moved longitudinally of the knitting machine by-the friction rod in its rectilinear movement; a stop plate mounted fixedly in relation to the rectilinear movement of said rod but connected to the latter for arcuate rotation therewith; pivoted levers each having means respectively adapted to contact with said plate to stop the arcuate rotation of the rod upon reaching its different positions required to bring said selecting element in engagement with the carrier bar to be selected; and a pattern device acting upon said levers to alternatively operate the same.

2. A thread selecting and feeding mechanism for flat knitting machines comprising in combination with the thread carrier bars and main cam shaft of a knitting machine: a friction rod mounted on the machine for arcuate rotating and rectilinear sliding movements; a friction box carried by said friction rod to follow the movements thereof; a carrier bar selecting element fixed on said box and extending therefrom for selective engagement with any one of the carrier bars to establish a driving connection between said box and the selected carrier bar whereby the latter may be moved longitudinally of the knitting machine by the friction rod in its rectilinear movement; a stop plate mounted fixedly in relationto the rectilinear movement of said rod but connected to the same for arcuate rotation therewith; pivoted levers each having means respectively adapted to contact with said plate to stop the rotation of the rod upon reaching its different positions required to bring said selecting element in engagement with the carrier bar to be selected; a pattern device acting upon said levers to alternatively operate the same; and means acted upon by said cam shaft and associated with said pattern device for imparting operative movement thereto.

3. A thread selecting and feeding mechanism for flat knitting machines comprising in combination with the thread carrier bars and the main cam shaft of a knitting machine: a friction rod mounted on the machine for arcuate rotating and rectilinear sliding movements; a friction box carried by said friction rod to follow the movements thereof; a carrier bar selecting element fixed on said box and extending therefrom for selective engagement with any one of the carrier bars to establish a driving connection between said box and the selected carrier bar whereby the latter may be moved longitudinally of the knitting machine by the friction rod in its rectilinear movement; a stop plate mounted fixedly in relation to the rectilinear movement of said rod but connected to the same for arcuate rotation therewith; pivoted levers each having means respectively adapted to contact with said plate to stop the rotation of the rod upon reaching its different positions required to bring saidl selecting element in'engagement with the carrier bar to be selected; a pattern device acting upon said levers to alternatively operate the same; and a ratchet mechanism acted upon by said cam shaft and associated with said pattern device for imparting operative movement thereto.

4. A thread selecting and feeding mechanism for flat knitting machines comprising in combi nation with the thread carrier bars and the main cam shaft of the knitting machine: a friction rod mounted on the machine for arcuate rotating and rectilinear sliding movements; a friction box carried by said friction rod to follow the movements thereof; a carrier bar selecting element fixed on said box and extending therefrom for selective engagement with any one of the carrier bars to establish a driving connection between said box and the selected carrier bar whereby the latter may be moved longitudinally of the knitting machine by the friction rod in its longitudinal movement; a stop plate mounted fixedly in relation to the rectilinear movement. of said rod but connected to the same for arcuate rotation therewith; pivoted levers each having means respectively adapted to contact with said plate to stop the rotation of the rod upon reaching its different positions required to bring said selecting element in engagement with the carrier bar to be selected; a pattern device acting upon said levers to alternatively operate the same; and means acted upon by said cam shaft and associated with said pattern device for imparting operative movement thereto.

5. A thread selecting and feeding mechanism for fiat knitting machines comprising in combination with the thread carrier bars, the main cam shaft, and narrowing nuts of the knitting.

machine: a friction rod mounted on the machine for arcuate rotating and rectilinear sliding movements; a friction box carried by said friction rod to follow the movements thereof; a carrier bar selecting element fixed on said box and extending therefrom forselective engagement with any one of the carrier bars to establish a rigid connection between said box and the selected carrier bar whereby the latter may be moved longitudinally of the knitting machine by the friction rod in its rectilinear movement; a stop plate mounted fixedly in relation to the rectilinear movement of said rod but connected to the same for arcuate rotation therewith; pivoted levers each having means respectively adapted to contact with said plate to stop the rotation of the rod upon reaching its different positions required to bring said selecting element in engagement with the carrier bar to be selected; a pattern device acting upon said levers to alternatively operate the same; wing-like extension formed with the opposite end portions of said friction box and projecting at substantially right angles to the body of the latter; and stop members arranged upon said narrowing nuts to move therewith and disposed in the path of travel of said friction box for engagement with the wing-like extensions of the latter to limit its rectilinear sliding movements.

6. A thread'selecting and feeding mechanism for fiat knitting machines comprising in combination with a plurality of thread carrier bars: a friction rod mounted on the machine for arcuate rotating and rectilinear sliding movements; a friction box carried by said friction rod to follow the movements thereof; a carrier bar selecting element fixed on said box and extending therefrom for selective engagement with any one of the carrier bars, to establish a driving connection between said box and the selected carrier bar, whereby the latter may be moved longitudinally of the knitting machine by the friction rod in its rectilinear movement; a stop plate mounted fixedly in relation to the rectilinear movement of said rod but connected to the latter for arcuate rotation therewith; pivoted levers each having means respectively adapted to contact with said plate to stop the rotation of the rod upon reaching its different positions required to bring said selecting element in engagement with the carrier bar to be selected; a pattern device acting upon said levers to alternatively operate the same; means connected to said stop plate and acting, to constantly urge the same towards said lever for positive contact therewith; and a pusher automatically operated in timed relation with the operation of the pattern device for periodically forcing said plate away from said lever against the action of said last mentioned means.

7 A thread for flat knitting machines comprising in comselecting and feeding mechanism bination with the thread carrier'bars and main cam shaft of a knitting machine; a friction rod mounted on the machine for arcuate rotating whereby the latter may be moved longitudinally of the knitting machine by the friction rod in its rectilinear movement; a stop plate mounted fixedly in relation to the rectilinear movement of said rod but connected to the same forarcuate rotation therewith; pivoted leverseach having means respectively adapted to contact with'said\ plate to stop the rotation of the rod upon reaching its different positions required to bring said selecting element in engagement with the carrier bar to be selected; a, pattern device acting upon said levers to alternatively operate the same; means acted upon by said cam shaft and associated with said pattern device for imparting operative movement thereto; means connected to said stop plate and acting to constantly urge the same towards said levers for positive contact therewith; and a pusher mechanically connected to the main cam shaft to be automatically operated thereby in timed relation with the operation of the pattern device for periodically forcing said plate away from the levers against the normal action of said last mentioned means.

8. A thread selecting and feeding mechanism for fiat knitting machines comprising in combination with a plurality of thread carrier bars: a friction rod mounted on the machine for arcuate rotating and rectilinear sliding movements; a friction box carried by said friction rod to follow the movements thereof; a carrier bar selecting element fixed on said box and extending therefrom for selective engagement with any one of the carrier bars to establish a driving connection between said box and the selected carrier bar whereby the latter may be moved longitudinally of the knitting machine by the friction rod for its rectilinear movement; stop means mounted on the friction rod in fixed relation to its rectilinear movementbut connected thereto for arcuate movement therewith; a plurality of movable members having means adapted to contact with said stop means to stop the arcuate movement of the rod upon reaching its differentpositions required to bring said selecting element in engagement with the carrier bar to be selected; a pattern device associated with and acting upon said members to move the same in predetermined order; spring means connected to said friction rod and acting thereon to constantly urge the same to rotate in one direction; and a pusher engageable with the stop means onthe friction rod and automatically operated in timed relation with the operation of said pattern device for periodically forcing said rod in a direction opposite to that imparted to the latter by said spring means.

9. A thread selecting and feeding mechanism for fiat knitting machines comprising in combination with a plurality of thread carrier bars: a friction rod mounted on the machine for arcu ate rotating and rectilinear sliding movements; a friction box carried by said friction rod to follow the movements thereof; a carrier bar selecting element fixed on said box and extending therefrom for selective engagement with any one nection between said box and the selected carrier bar, whereby the latter may be moved longitudinally of the knitting machine by the friction rod in itsrectilinear movement; a stop plate mounted fixedly in relation to the rectilinear movement of said rod but connected to the latter for arcuate rotation therewith; pivoted levers each having means respectively adapted to contact with said the same to iotate in one direction; and a pusher engageable with the stop plate on the friction 'rod and automatically operated in timed relation .with the operation of saidpattem device for follow the movements thereof; a carrier bar selecting element fixed on said box and extending therefrom for selective engagement with any one of the carrier bars to establish a driving connection between said box and the selected'carrier bar whereby the latter may be moved longitudinally of the knitting machine by the friction rod for its rectilinear movement; stop means mounted on the friction rod in fixed relation to its rectilinear movement but connected thereto for arcuate movement therewith; a plurality of movable members having means adapted to contact with said stop means to stop the arcuate movement of the rod upon reaching its different positions required to bring said selecting element in en- ,gagement with the carrier bar to be selected; a

pattern device associated with and acting upon said members to move the same in predetermined order; spring means connected to said friction rod and acting thereon .to constantly urge the same torotate in one direction; an oscillating lever provided with means disposed for engagement with said stop means on the friction rod for periodicaly forcing the latter in a direction opposite to that imparted by said spring means; and amechanism functioning with the operation of the knitting machine for oscillating said lever.

11. A thread selecting and feeding mechanism for fiat knitting machines comprising in combination with a plurality of thread carrier bars: a friction rod mounted on the machine for arcuate rotating and rectilinear sliding movements; spring means connected to said friction rod and normally acting to urge the latter to rotate in one direction; a friction box carried by said friction rod to follow the movements thereof; a carrier bar selecting element fixed on said box and extending therefrom for selective engagement with any one of the carrier bars to'establish a driving connection between said box and the selected carrier bar whereby the latter may be moved longitudinally of the knitting machine by the friction rod in its rectilinear movement; stop means mounted on the friction rod in fixed relation to its rectilinear movement but connected thereto for arcuate rotating movement therewith; a fixed abutment disposed in the path of movement of said stop means to arrest and maintain the friction rod against the action of said spring means in one of the positions required to bring said selecting element in engagement with one of the carrier bars to be selected; a plurality of movable abutments each adapted to be moved in individual engagement with said stop means to arrest andmaintain the friction rod in the other positions required to bring said selecting element in engagement with the other carrier bars to be selected; and a mechanism operatively associated with said movable abutments to move the same in predetermined order.

12. A thread selecting and feeding mechanism for flat knitting machines comprising in combination with three carrier bars: a friction rod mounted on the machine for arcuate rotating and rectilinear sliding movements; spring means connected to said friction rod and normally acting to urge the latter to rotate in one direction; a friction box carried by said friction rod to follow the movements thereof; a carrier bar selecting element fixed on said box and extending therefrom for selective engagement with any one of said three carrier bars to establish a driving connection between said box and the selected carrier bar whereby the latter may be moved longitudinally of the knitting machine by the friction rod in its rectilinear movement; stop means mounted on the friction rod in fixed relation to its rectilinear movement but connected thereto for arcuate rotating movement therewith; a fixed abutment disposed in the path of movement of said stop means to arrest and maintain the friction rod against the action of said spring means in one of the positions required to bring said selecting element in engagement with one of the three carrier bars to be selected; a pair of movably mounted abutments each adapted to be moved for individual engagement with said stop means to arrest and maintain the friction rod in the other positions required to bring said selecting element in engagement, with either of the two remaining carrier bars to be selected; and a mechanism operatively associated with said movable abutments to move the same in predetermined order.

13. A thread selecting and feeding mechanism forilat knitting machines comprising in combination with the thread carrier bars and main cam shaft of the knitting machine: a friction rod mounted onthe machine for arcuate rotating and rectilinear sliding movements; a friction box carried by said friction rod to follow the movements thereof; a carrier bar selecting element fixed on said box and extending therefrom for selective engagement with any one of the carrier bars to establish a driving connection between said box and the selected carrier bar whereby the latter may be moved longitudinally of the knitting machine by the friction rod in its rectilinear movement; stop means mounted on the friction rod in fixed relation to its rectilinear movement but connected thereto for arcuate' rotating movement therewith; a plurality -of movable members having means adapted to contact with said stop means to stop the arcuate rotating movement of quired to bring said selecting element in engage-' ment with the carrier bar to be selected; a pattern device controlled from the main cam shaft of the knitting machine and associated with said members for acting thereon to move the same in predetermined order; spring means connected to said friction rod and acting thereon to constantly urge the same to rotate in one direction; and a pusher engageable with the stopping means on the friction rod and automatically operated with the main cam shaft in timed relation with the operation of said pattern device for periodically forcing said rod in a direction opposite to that imparted by said spring means.

JOSEPH PHILLIPS.

the rod upon reaching its different positions re- 

